Apparatus for testing lamps



Aug. 3, 1937. J. F. DoNQvAN ET AL APPARATUS FOR TESTING LAMPS Filed Dec. l2, 1954 .mw Ud www e rdm non o .lencfr I h2 e oMWWh Je/T @in l 9 W u M. b 7 m 6 M amp www 5 .n .W 7.,f4 i 4v a a .Q 7 2y W 5M F A, W a 2 15 tion ci' the leaky lamp at this st l Patented Aug. 3, 1.937

MT1-:D STATES aosaoss APPABAVTUS FOR' TESTING LAMPS John F. Donovan Cleveland. Ohio.

and George Illingworth, naar asslgnors to General Electric' Company, a corporation of NewYork u Application December 12. 1934, Serial No. 757,169

6 Claims.

Our invention relates to apparatusfor testing containers or envelopes for leaks, and more particularly to apparatus for testing electric lamps or similar articles vfor leaks before they 5 have been exhausted or sealed oil.

It is desirable that lealw lamps befdetected and discarded before they are exhausted because of the danger of contamination of other lamps by the air drawn into the exhausting machine 1o through the leaky lamp. This happens-because of the fact that a number of lamps are connected to the exhaust pump'by a single passage and the air entering the leaky lamp has access to' the other lamps by means of said passage. 'I'he eliminae also prevents further work being done ther uselessly, such ssealing-oifthe bulb and providing it with a e. One of the objects'of-our invention is to provide 20 an automatic apparatus' for 'performing the above-mentioned functions. Another object is to provide such an` apparatus which will successfully detect lamps having slow leaks therein and lamps which, although' not having apparent 2s leaks therein at the time of testing, would subsequently develop a leak after being put in use'.

Qur apparatus is particularly adaptable for testing so-called "butt-seal lamps in which the exhaust tube is joined to the neck oi' thev bulb and Sil the lead wires-are sealed in the glass of this joint.-

' The Joint in this type oflamp -cannot be easily inspected. yThis typeof Joint is generally used in 'the smaller and less expensive" lamps and it is. therefore highly desirable to use a completely 85 automatic apparatus to keep the cost down. Further features and advantages of our invention will appear from the following description oi'.

species thereof and from the drawing.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation pardo tially in section oi'v a testing machine comprising our invention; Fig. 2 is a. vertical section along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1; of a' leak detecting switch for causing a defective lamp to be discarded; and Fig. 4 is a diagram- 45 matic-representation of mechanism including an electricall circuit for eilecting the discarding of a defective lamp. f

The machine shown in'the drawing comprises a turret i which carries a plurality ofhads orchucks `Ii in which the lamps -I2 to be tested are vinserted. Each of the lamps i2 comprises -a glass bulb or enclosure Il in which a iilament and other internal structure are sealed and to which is sealed an exhaust tube i 4. At this stage in the 55 manufacture of the lamp there should of course Fig. 3 is a .perspective view be no opening to the interior ofthe bulb except the passage through the exhaust tube but de- Y fectlve manufacture and improper handling sometimes cause other small openings to appear. These openings may be in the form of. cracks 5 caused by imperfect-sealing of the tube to 'the bulb. The lamps are placed inthe turret chuck or head ii located'at position a: by inserting the exhaust tube i4 therein. Theen'd ofthe exhaust tube is held, as shown in the sectioned chuck i l at the left of Fig. 1, in the bushing I5, rubber washer i and li'errule il of ball bearing i8. After insertion of the lamp, mechanism is operated to close the chuck Il and make thel connection tothe exhaust tube air-tight. The said mechanism comprises la post I9 on arm 20,01' shaft 2i and is first raised into the position shown. This movement raises the post i8 to a position adjacent a 'pin 22 on the turret head and brings the insert 23 on lamp, pushing it into the turret head the required amount. Having reached the upper position.` the shaft 2i is rotated, causing the post i9 to engage the pin 22 on collar 24. which results in a rotation oi sleeve 25. The saidv sleeve is 26 threaded to the head or chuck ii and, as it is turned, it moves upward on said head, causing the ball bearing it tn compress the washer i6. Ihe said washer-v it, which is preferably of rubber. expands sideward making a -tight seal between the exhaust tube and the walls oi' the turret head. The rotation of shaft '2i results ,from a movement of bushing 28 (Fig. 2)y in bracket 2l. said bushing engaging said shaft through keys 28 and 29. The movement is passed 35 to bushing 26 from bushing 30 which surrounds the arm 36 which is clamped thereto, and link l1. The'vertical movement of shaft 2i results from 45 mechanism which is operated by cam v38, and engages the flanged portions 39 oi' a stud 40 in the end of said shaft. The said flanges are engaged by pins `4i in the arms of a lever 42 which is attached to the shaft 43 in bracket u. The 50 shaft is. turned by va lever 45 which connects through link 48 to a lever' 4l which. in turn,

through roller 48, engages the cam n. Lever 41 turns about a pin 42 ina stationary member (not shown) which is attached, like bracket 2l, to the 55 arm 20 against-the end oi' the 20 ukemrt when 5, o m u w w w., .wv .uw Y... w ...M 5 m 2,1...3 V, mmmmm. m H m .wm 0mm MM m .m www@@wwwmmmmmmgmmmmmwww.www @Mmmm m M .,mmmwww@wwwmmmmwmmmmmmm Mmmm@KEW www mwmmmw mmmmmmwmmmmmmmmmmn mlm hm www wmumubmm www www?mmmmmmmmmmm-mmmmmmmm www @www M .mw @mi mmmmm www m w m mw im M mmmmmmdm .u www .,m .mmw m ww M-.. M www?? ,www m mlm. un www .,bmom d .mm mm #www m m ...n um w mm w ,....mm m., A ...4.. m m mi m .d m. Wmmwwmmmwmmmmmwwww@www mmywwmm .m www WWmmm ..wmwmm wmmmwmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmam mf MMT A mun mmm l tm ewn n e .c L. pw. d rmmdm.. m uw l Lr ).n .nda u m m1 M .m .n l mm mmmmmmgmmmmmmmmmmwww@ mwmmmmmmwmmmm m mm www mmm@wwwHummmWmwmmmmmwmmwmmwww.mmwmmmmmmwwmmwmm.Mvwm .u Mu w www mpw uumnmwnnw .wn mmmmm 1 me mw ummm@ m. n Wmwmn mmmmnmmwmmmmmmmw-mme wmmuwmm N mndwmmm Mmmm wwwa www@ .54W mw .mf su @Mmmmmwmumwmwmmmmummmwmmw .wmmummmm `.mL hmmm.. nemmrfmm um mmm.mmmm .mmk i ma n www uw www y www3 WM mmmmm wmmufwmummmbmtmunmmmmmnw...mummmmm m kewmm mmmuwmmmmmmwm m M wrm swmmwmxmmmmmWWAmmm msm Tm?.mmmmmhwmmm @mmmmmw mwwh mmmmemrw@ M .:n mmmw umm WT t um ...m m F.mwmnem an airtight connection therewith, a bell housing adjacent said support having a resilient diaphragmextending thereacross and dividing said housing into two chambers each adapted to hold a fluid, said support having a passage therein for connecting one of said chambers with the interior of said bulb, a pressure operated switch adjacent said chamber having a control element consisting of a curved tube having one end free to v b'e moved by changes of pressure therein and communicating with said one of the chambers by a passage, the said fluid being conned in said chamber, bulb, switch control element and passages, means for exerting a uid pressure within the other chamber' to cause the said diaphragm the pressure 6r the eonnned aula in the said' to be stretched and forcedl inwardly thus'compressing the iuid in the first-mentioned chamber, and mechanism including said pressure operated switch for causing a bulb to be discarded in case first-mentioned chamber is not increased sutilciently because of a leak in said bulb.

2. An apparatus for testing containersfor leaks comprising'a rotatable turret, a plurality of heads mounted on said turret and each adapted to support a container, a bell housing adjacent each of said supports having a resilient diaphragm extending thereacross and dividing said housing into two chambers, 'each of said-heads having a passage therein extending to one of said chambers, the other end of said passage extending to an opening in said container but being open to the atmosphere whena container is not present in said head, an air pressure operated 5 switch adjacent each of said one of the chambers lhaving a control element lcommunicating therewith by a passage, the air being conned in said one chamber, container, switch control element and passages, a rotary air valve on said turret having an annular passage adapted upon rotationof the turret to communicate with passages 4 extending to each of the other chambers of said housings and thereby allow the passing of compressed air to each of said second-mentioned chambers to cause the rsaidndiaphragm to be stretched and forced inwardly thus compressing' the -air Ain each of the mst-mentioned chambers, and mechanism including saidair pressure operated switch for causing a container to bediscarded in case the pressure of the air in-the said mst-mentioned chamber is not increased sumciently becauseof a leak in said container.

3. In a device of the type described, a rotatable turret, a plurality of heads mounted on said turret and each adapted lto support a container to be tested for leaks, ,means for exerting a duid pressure in said containers upon rotation of said' turret, a pressure operated switch adjacent each of said heads on said turret having a control element consisting of a curved tube having one vend free to be moved by changes of pressure therein and communicating with the interior-of the container in theiadjacent lhead, a stationary electrical contact mounted adjacent eachv of said switches, a movable contact arm in each of said switches `connected to the movable end of lthev control element thereof and normally engaging the adjacent stationary contact but separable therefrom upon movement of said end of'said control element, a pair of contacts mounted on said turret adjacent each of said heads and electrically connected to said movable contact arm Vand* stationary switch contact respectively, a pair -of stationary. circuit-making contacts disposed adjacent the path of movement of said pairs turret contacts and adapted to engage said turret contacts, transfer mechanism disposed adjacent said turret atan unloading position of -said heads, a movable rod disposed adjacent said transfer mechanism, a solenoid comprising a coil and an armature connected to said rod, and an electrical circuit for each ofA said switches including its movable contact arm, stationary switch contact, turret contacts, the stationary circuit-making contacts and the solenoid coil, whereby when the pressure of theuid in a container is not increased sufliciently because of a leak therein the' movable end of the switch control element fails to move a sufcient amount to separatethe said ,contact arm from the stationary switch contactand the said solenoid is energized, thereby causing the' solenoid armature to move the said rod into the path of movement of the said transferv mechanism toprevent said mechanism from engaging and transferring a leaky container.

' 4. Ina. device for testing bulbs for electric lamps and similar` articles' having exhaust tubes extending therefrom, the combination of a turret rotatably'mounted on a vertical axis, .a plurality of vertically disposed chucks mountedat the periphery of said turret and adapted to grip the ends of the exhaust tubesbf bulbs insertedin the lower ends thereof,.means forindexing said turret, means for creating air pressure in the bulbs held by said chucks, a-pressur'e operated switch adjacent each of said chucks and having a movable control elemen't 'communicating with the interior or tne'bulb heid bythe said adjacent chuck, a pair of transfer jaws located adjacent to the path of travel of said chucks and adapted to be moved to and from said chucks to grip a bulb and. carry it away from the testing device,

a discharge'chute located adjacent tov said transfer jaws, a rod located adjacent to said transfer v Jaws, a solenoid attached to said rod, means for -releasing the bulbs held by said chucks, and an electrical circuit including said solenoid and said pressure operated switches for causing said rod to. be moved in the path of movement of said'.

transfer jaws by said solenoid when one of the bulbs has a leak therein thereby preventing said jaws from moving into gripping position permitting the defective bulbto drop in said sus .charge chute instead of being carried from theA testing deviceby said jaws.A

5. In a device for testing bulbs for electric lamps and similar articles having exhaust tubes extending therefrom, the combination of ia tur- .ret rotatfably mounted on a vertical axis, a plusaid( indexing position, means for'rotating said post'aboutf an offset axis to cause it to engage saidpin and rotatethe saidsleeve on saidchuck and thereby compress said resilient washer against the exhaust tube held therein, means for creating-air pressure in the bulbs held by said chucks, a pressure operated switch adjacent -each of. said chucks and having a movable lcontrol element communicating.. with the in-` 4 'y e terior ofthe bulb'held by thelsaid adjacent chuck. a r to the path of travel of said.l chucks and adapted to be moved to and from said chucks to grip a bulb and-carry it. awayv'from said testing de'- vice, a discharge chute 4located adjacent to said transierlaws, a second vertically` disposed post located adjacent to the path of travel of said chucks. and 'to um transfer Jaws st an indexina position of the turret, the upper end'of said second post being adjacent to the pin.on a chuck at said luist named indexina position.' means for-A rotating said second post about'an otiset axis to cause it to engage said pin and rotate'the sleeve on said chuck and thereby release the pressure on the resilient washer therein, andmechanism includinsthe pressure operated switch adiacent said chuck for preventing'the said transfer iaws from srippins the bulb in said chuck when it has a leak therein therebypermittinl the defective bulb to drop in said discharge chute instead of heinz carried from the testine device bysaidiaws.

. 8. In a devicefor testing bulbs f or electric lamps and similar articles havin: exhaust tubes extending therefrom, the combination of a turret rotatably mounted on a vertical axis, a plu.

rality of vertically disposed chucks, mounted at the periphery of said turretfeach of said chucks having a resilient washer'in the lower end thereof for holding the exhaust'ftube of a bulb,a

screw-threaded sleeve on said chuck having a portion adapted to compress said washer when said sieeveis rotated, a pin -mounted on saidv sleeve,\meansfor indexing said'turret, a vertically dipd shaft mountedadiacent to and belowA the path of travel of said chucks 4ai; an indexins position of\ said turret, a vertically disposed post mounted on said shaft and oi'i'setI of transfer- Jaws located adjacent l Ajacent a,oeo,'osa

- axially therefrom. the uwer end of said post being adjacent to the pin on a'chuck at said indexing position, meanl'for raisia said shaft to cause the upper end thereof tosenaase a bulb and push it further into said chuck, means for -ro- 'tatmzmdptabouttheamofmdsnmto causeit to enlace said pin and rotate the said sleeve on said chuck and thereby compress said resilient washer against the exhaust tube held therein, means fo creatina air. pressure in the bulbs heldby said chucks, a pressure operated switch adiacent each of said chucks and havin! 'a movable control element communicating with the interior of the bulb held by the said adia cent chuck, a-pair of transfer Jaws located adune path of travel oz ma enum-ano adapted to be moved to and fromsaidchuck to gripa bulb and carry it away from said testins device. va discharse chute located adjacent to said transfer-Jaws'. a second vertically disposed post locatedad'iacent to the path of travel of said chucks and \to said transfer Jaws at an s indexingl position of the turret, the upper end of saidsecondpostbeinaadiacenttothepinona chuck at said last named indexing position,

means for rotatins said second post-about an i somt r'. DONOVAN. asoma mmowonm 

